Combined tire-support and tool-case.



Pafiented Nov. 14, 191' 1.

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UNITED s'rn'rns PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN-C. TEMPLE, 0F WHITEFIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

CCMBINED TIRE-SUPPORT AND TOOL-CASE.

Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1911.

Application filed October 12, L909. Serial No. 522,325.

To all whom it may concern.

.Be it known that I, JOHN C. TEMPLE, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Whitefield, in the county of Coos and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Tire-Supports and Tool-Cases, of which the following is a'specification. v

The present invention relates to an attachment for automobiles and the like and hasforits object-the provision of instrumentalitiesadapted for the support of spare wheels or tires and the usual tools incident to the repair-of the vehicle, and to this end the invention maybe said to comprise a combination repair kit and tire support with novel means for attachment to the vehicle frame.

Various means have been devised for the support of the tools necessary to be carried with the automobile, the most customary form perhaps being a box or receptacle placed on the-running board or other portion of the frame, sometimes beneath the seats, and in which the tools are adapted to loosely rest. Such constructions, and all prior constructions with which I am. familiar, have many disadvantages and objectionable features, among which may be noted the continual rattling ,of the tools while the vehicle is in motion, the inaccessibility of the tools and spare tires, and the inconvenience and annoyance incident to removing the occupants from the seats of the vehicle while the yehicle is being repaired.

More particularly, the present invention comprises novel supporting instrumentali ties for an improved type of repair kit, and associated means for the support of the spare wheels orf tires, whereby both are positioned at a location to be at all times readily and independently accessible to the opera- .tor, and this without disturbing the occupants of the vehicle.

The invention also includes a novel form of kit whereby the contained tools are devoid of the usual rattling and noise, the same being maintained in pro-arranged order, and in a position to be instantly found and removed for use Without disturbing the other tools.

Further, the invention includes means whereby the spare wheel or extra tire may be quickly released from. the support for use, and this without disturbing the position of the repair kit carried by the support for the'spa're wheels or tires.

' The invention also contemplates a novel form of tire support which is adjustable to accommodate a plurality of supporting wheels or tires, and which when adjusted will constitute a'substantially'rigid and firm sup'port for the, tires: and wheels, and one readily releasable.

Other novel featuresin the construction and arrangement ofitheparts 'will be pointed out in the detail description following, which fora clear understanding of the in vention should be read in'connect'ion with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein a satisfactory embodiment ofthe invention is shown'for the pur pose 'of illustration.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the attachment disclosing the spare tire and tool case in position on the vehicle, the tool case or kit being closed; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tool case or kit removed and open for the purpose of illus trating more clearly theoperative position of the case when in use, and the retaining means for the individual tools; Fig. 3 is a detail view of the retaining means for the tools; Fig.4 is a front elevation of the tool case and tire support with a'portion of=the runway of the vehicle cut away; Fig. 5 is' a top plan view of the tool case and tire supports, the latterfibeing disclosed as holding a plurality of such tires; Fig. 6 is an end or side view of the tool case and tire supports, together with the attaching means for each; F1g. 7 is a detail view of the tire clamping means and support therefor; Fig. 8 is a side "view of one of said clamps with the securing means therefor; Figs. '3, 10 awn- 1: 11 are detail enlarged views of parts removed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characro m designate corresponding parts througim the several views, 1 is the ordinary running board of a motor vehicle or the likeand rest 2, secured Y manner, as by means oi'screws or bolt-sf 2 The bracket- .2 has an upward. extensionfl at the rear end thereof terminating n flat portion 2 (Figs. 10'11) aid-awed to rescase and said front, The top member 4 of the case is pivoted to swing in opposite di-- rctions', whereby when in closed posit-ion it will constitute a'cover forthe top o'fthe casing and when the front is in lowered poflat against the rear sideof thetool-case or kit about to be described. The't'ool case or kit comprises a box shaped receptacle 3v con- 'veniently curved at its sides and bottom to correspond. to the curvature of a tire on spare wheel whereby the same may fit within the latter when in position. The case 3 conveniently has a straight upper edge 3, and the upper terminals 3" of the sldes con stitute with said upper edge a support upon which rests a removabletop 4.. The said top 4 has a pivotal'e ectlon a'fi4F-w1th a front '5 which latter-h {a pivotal'coimection at 5 with the 'body portiono'fthe case, whereby the same may swlngoutwardly and downwardly into a flat position at substan'.

tially right angles to the normal position of the case .when the inner surface of thefront,

as well as, the interior of the body portion of the case' will be exposed to view. The downward swinging movement of the front dis limited and the front is firmly, supported in lowermost position by a chain or of the Swinging front and top of the casingare suitable retaining means, preferably one for each .of the usual tools carried with the 40 chains 6.co nnected respectively iniany. convenient-manner to the body portion of the 'sition the top may swing downwardly to a 'point--at substantially. right angles to the front when itsinner'su'rface is also exposed 'to fview'. 1 Arranged at-suitable' intervals upon the interior surface of the rear wall of the tool casing, and upon'the inner surface vehicle for repair purposes.

The retaining means just-mentionedcon- Veniently comprises leather loop members, 7

- having'lfeet 7* secured to the several parts of the casing preferably byscrews 7". It

will be noted that since there is provided a retaining means for each tool, the same are held separated, in order that they may be easily and quickly found and the same are prevented from rattling one against the other." The construction of theiloop member 7 also assists in the non-rattling feature of the invention. When the case or kit 3 is closed, the front and top are held in position by any suitable means, conveniently a clip or latch 8 projecting from the;edge of the top 4 and engaging a lug. or retaining device 8 1 1 on the body portion of the casing. A look 8 may be provided for holdingthe latch against separation. The vertical flat extension 2of the foot rest 2 is secured to the rear surface of the tool case, as by means of screws "or bolts 9. It will be observed that theup'ri'ght portion 2 of the bracket 2 is curved, whereby .a portion of the spare tire which is adapted to fit about the tool case or bolts 12.

Sleeved upon the rods may rest within the bracket, Secured to the vehicle frame, as by means of screws or bolts 10, arefbrackets 10 having openings site sides of a tire-or spare wheel. These clamping arms are adjustably mounted upon the: rods 11 for longitudinal movement about said rods, as well as rotary movement, I

the same being held in ad uSted position by 'means ofheaded bolts 15;

Having thus described the various parts, the operation may be briefly set forth as follows: The attachment having been appliedto .the vehicle frame, one, or, both of the clampingv arms1'14 are loosened by' the nut 15, whereby the same may swing to a posi-. tion downwardly or in substantial aline-. merit with the side of the tool casing (shown in Fig.4) when the tire or spare wheel, or a plurality of each may be slid laterally over the toolcasing into a position against the rearmost clamping arm of each pair and the upright arm 2 of the foot rest,2. When in this position, the loose clamping arms are swung about. the rods'll as a pivot and moved longitudinally of the rods (11) to a position against and overlapping the outer edge of said tires or spare wheels, when the bolts 15 are moved to holding position. The tires will, it will be appreciated, be held "cry rigidly and firmlyin place and-at the same time the same may be readily removed by simply swinging the outermostclamping arms 14 downwardly (Fig. 4). This pcculiar form of retaining means for the tires does away with the usual method of strap-- ping the tires in position, and results in a great saving oftime. Now should it be desired to gain access to .the interior of the I tool case, this may be readily done'without removing the tires from the supports carried by the tool cas'ingby simply removing the latch 8 from the retaining means 8, and

swinging the top and front-of the casing to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, when all the tools are accessible;

The peculiar arrangement of tool carrying means .does away ulartool desired, prevents breakage of the tools, and obviates all rattling or unnecessary noise. Again, the annoyance, especially during'inclementweather, of remov-' ing from their seats the occupants of the automobile is wholly dispensed with, an oc cugi ence which absolutely unavoidable,

with the necessity of huntlng through a tool box for the particwhere tools and'appliances are carried beneath the seats.- The novel form of attaching means for the spare wheel or tire and tool case makes it possible tohave both at a position on the vehicle where they are most readily accessible, and therefore the device is not only practical, but adds to the appearance of an automobile to which it is attached.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an attachment of the character described, the combination of a supporting member adapted to be secured to a vehicle frame, oppositely disposed arms mounted on said support and adapted to engage over opposite sides of a tire mounted on the support, and mean for supporting a case also mounted on said support.

2. In an attachment of the character described, the combination of an elongated supporting rod having means at one end for securin the same to a vehicle frame, oppositely disposed supporting arms mounted on said rod and adapted to engage over opposite sides of a tire positioned on said rod between said arms, and a hanger bracket for supporting a case of a shape to conform to the periphery of the tire mounted on said rod intermediate said arms.

3. In an attachment of the character described, a tire supporting case, hanger brackets on opposite sides of the case, rods mounted on said brackets, tire engaging arms mounted on said rods adapted to engage opposite sides of a tire mounted on said supporting case, the said arms being relatively adjustableon the supporting rods,and means to engage the inner ends of said rods for securing the same to a vehicle frame.

4, In an attachment of the character described, a supporting case shaped to conform to the inner periphery of a tire to be mounted thereon, a support secured to said case adjacent the base thereof, and shaped to constitute an abutment for one side of the tire, and means at the opposite sides of the supporting case to engage over opposite sides tion.

of the tire for supporting the same in posi- 5. In an attachment 'of the character de-H justable rigid arms, a supporting member for the latter, and means for securing sa1d I supporting member in position.

6. In an attachment of the character 'described, the combination of a supporting rod, oppositely disposed rigid arms on the rod curved throughout for engaging opposite surfaces of the tire, said arms being laterally adjustable toward and from one another, and means mounted on the rod for supporting a case at a point'between said arms. o

7. In an' aattachment of the character. de scribed, a" supporting case, a hanger bracket secured to the side thereof, a support onthe bracket, and tire engaging means on the support, and a foot rest for said case.

8. In an attachment of the character described, a supporting case, hanger brackets at the respective sldes of the case, rods mounted in the respective brackets, and a pair of oppositely disposed tire engaging arms on each rod, said arms being adjustable on the rod, and means for maintaining the same in adjusted position, and means for attaching the rods to a vehicle frame.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a supporting case shaped to conform to the curvature of a tire, hanger brackets at the respective sides of the case, and secured thereto, a support on the brackets, and tire engaging means on the support.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN G. TEMPLE. Witnesses:

' LESLIE W. PARCHER, LULU E. LINSCOTT.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

